Jacksonville signs limited to resident’s own property

Sunday

You can post a sign in your yard and your friend can post a sign in his yard, but your friend can’t post your sign in his yard, according to zoning officials with the City of Jacksonville.

You can post a sign in your yard and your friend can post a sign in his yard, but your friend can’t post your sign in his yard, according to zoning officials with the City of Jacksonville.

Temporary real estate signs can be placed in the yard of the property for sale, lease or rent. Signs cannot be placed in the right-of-way or at other properties, said Gary Ouellette, the city’s chief code enforcement officer.

That rule, from Section 109 of the city’s ordinances, applies to just about every temporary sign.

“If you live in Northwoods and you have a motorcycle for sale you can put a small sign in your yard,” Ouellette said. “But if you know someone willing to put a sign in their yard for you, like a friend or relative who lives on a busier street, you can’t do it.”

Certain types of signs — those for political campaigns, fundraisers, churches and schools among them — are exempt from many regulations, but still have to follow basic rules including size and placement. For residential areas the magic number for sign size is six square feet; it’s 15 feet in commercial districts.

All signs have to be removed immediately after sale, lease or rental of the property. Signs erected in connection with political campaigns, festivals, special events and nonprofit fundraisers must be removed within three days following the conclusion of the event.

“No signs are allowed in the DOT right-of-way,” Ouellette said. The code enforcers will take up any signs in the right-of-way, notify owners if they can be found and recycle the signs if no one claims them.

So why are there so many yard sale signs everywhere? Ouellette said code enforcement doesn’t turn a blind eye to any sign in violation, but there are only three enforcement agents, including Ouellette, for the entire city.

“Yard sale signs on street corners are a big no-no, but if someone puts a sign out Friday afternoon and it’s gone by Monday morning then chances are we won’t see it,” Ouellette said.

Personal signs like those that give a resident’s address and name in front of a home are not regulated. No trespassing and beware of dog signs are not regulated either.

Displays, including lighting, set out for the observance of holidays must be removed within 10 days of the end of the holiday.

Banner signs indicating “Welcome Home” or similar signs pertaining to the return of military forces from deployment may not be erected more than five days before and must be removed within five days after the return of the specified military unit.

The city’s zoning ordinance states signs are regulated in the interest of promoting traffic safety, safeguarding public health, facilitating police and fire protection, preventing adverse community appearance and overcrowding of land.

Onslow County also prohibits signs in the right-of-way. No signs are allowed to be affixed to utility poles or trees.

Temporary for sale or rent signs must be removed after occupation. One sign is allowed per property side including waterfronts and golf courses, according to Article XVII of the county's zoning ordinance. Other municipalities in the county have their own rules regarding signs. All require the removal of temporary real estate signs after occupation.

Contact Daily News Senior Reporter Lindell Kay at 910-219-8455 or lindell.kay@jdnews.com. Follow him on Twitter and friend him on Facebook @ 1lindell.

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